2021-2022 NASPA Excellence Award Winners
Supporting the Profession
February 2, 2022
We are pleased and honored to announce the recipients of the 2021-2022 NASPA Excellence Awards
Excellence Awards recognize the contributions of members who are transforming higher education through outstanding programs, innovative services, and effective administration. NASPA's Excellence Awards cover twelve categories crucial to the success of students. Sharing our successes benefit students, improves institutions, and promotes our profession.
Academic Advising Careers Graduate Professional and related
Gold
Open Doors
Dara Sanoubane, Leadership Development Specialist
The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State
Assessment Persistence Data Analytics and related
Gold
College System of Tennessee's High Impact Practice Initiative
Heidi Leming, Vice Chancellor for Student Success
College System of Tennessee
Bronze
Enhancing Student Success by Introducing a Warning Semester to the Academic Eligibility Policy at University of Arizona
Sarah Kyte, Senior Research Scientist Student Success & Retention Innovation
The University of Arizona
Athletics Recreation Counseling Health Wellness and related
Gold
The Manic Monologues
Calvin Chin, Director Counseling & Psychological Services
Princeton University
Silver
Reimagining the Pursuit of Health Equity for LGBTQ+ Students
Allison Smith, Assistant Director Population Health
Chris Woods, Director LGBTQ+ Center
New York University
Bronze
LeadUF
Taylor Stokes, Associate Director
University of Florida
Campus Security Crisis Management Student Conduct and Community Standards Violence Prevention and related
Gold
Student Safety Assistants
Chris Tankersley, Associate Director Student Learning and Assessment
Kent State University
Silver
Screen Test and Protect
Lane Washington, Director of Strategic Initiatives
The University of Florida
Bronze
Implementing Comprehensive Student Conduct Alternative Resolution Processes for Bias Incidents
Crystel Maldonado, Director of Student Conduct and Off-Campus Services
The College of New Jersey
Civic Learning Democratic Engagement Community Service Service-Learning and related
Gold
Center for Social Impact
Summer Valente, Director - Center for Social Impact
Utah Valley University
Commuter Off-Campus Military-Connected Non-traditional and related
Silver
Great Start Program - University of Miami
Michael Baumhardt, Director of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement
University of Miami
Enrollment Management Financial Aid First-year Other-year Orientation and related
Gold
Flash Connections
Nicole Kotlan, Senior Director Exploratory Program and Retention Initiatives
Kent State University
Silver
Examining the University at Albany’s Cultural Shift in the Student Journey
Karen Chico Hurst, University Registrar
University at Albany
Bronze
The Eagle Experience
Dr. Ken Gassiot, Associate Vice President for Student Development
Amy Smith, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management
Dr. Dustin Anderson, Associate Provost
Georgia Southern University
Equity Inclusion Social Justice and related
Gold
Bridges to Adelphi Program
Stephanie Grindell, MA, LMHC, Senior Associate Director
Diana Damilatis-Kull, MA, LMHC, Director
Lylli Cain, MS, Research and Grant Coordinator
Breanna Vizlakh, MA, Research Coordinator
Emily Luong, Research Assistant
Adelphi University
Silver
Anti-Racism Series
Dr. Shelly-Ann Collins Rawle, Staff Psychologist
Anna Nazarian-Peters, Director of Student Life & Development
California State University Long Beach
Bronze
Advancing Student Basic Needs
Genie Kim, Director of Student Mental Health and Well-being
University of California
First-generation Student Success and related
Gold
Research & Internship Bootcamp
Marc Lo, Executive Director Penn First Plus
University of Pennsylvania
Silver
First Gen Fridays
Aja Rodriguez, Coordinator of Diversity Programs
University of Houston Clear Lake
Bronze
First-generation Program
Tammie Nadeau, Assistant Director
University of Central Florida
Grand Winners
Gold
Bridges to Adelphi Program
Category: Equity Inclusion Social Justice and related
Stephanie Grindell, MA, LMHC, Senior Associate Director
Diana Damilatis-Kull, MA, LMHC, Director
Lylli Cain, MS, Research and Grant Coordinator
Breanna Vizlakh, MA, Research Coordinator
Emily Luong, Research Assistant
Adelphi University
Silver
Center for Social Impact
Category: Civic Learning Democratic Engagement Community Service Service-Learning and related
Summer Valente, Director - Center for Social Impact
Utah Valley University
Bronze
Research & Internship Bootcamp
Category: First-generation Student Success and related
Marc Lo, Executive Director Penn First Plus
University of Pennsylvania